Speaking Event: An Evening with Alice Walker

"The Cushion in the Road: Meditation and Wandering as the Whole World Awakens (Essays) & "The World Will Follow Joy: Turning Madness Into Flowers" (New Poems)

Hosted by Brian Edwards Tiekert

Alice Walker is an internationally celebrated author, poet and activist whose books include seven novels, four collections of short stories, four children's books, and many volumes of essays and poetry. She's best known for The Color Purple, the 1983 novel for which she won the Pulitzer Prize-the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction-and the National Book Award. The award-winning novel served as the inspiration for Steven Spielberg's 1985 film and was adapted for the stage, opening at New York City's Broadway Theatre in 2005, and capturing a Tony Award for best leading actress in a musical in 2006.? Walker has written many additional best sellers. Her work has been translated into more than two dozen languages, and her books have sold more than fifteen million copies.

An activist all of her adult life, Walker believes that learning to extend the range of our compassion is activity available to all. She is a staunch defender not only of human rights, but of the rights of all living beings. She is one of the world's most prolific writers, yet tirelessly continues to travel the world to literally stand on the side of the poor, and the economically, spiritually and politically oppressed. She also stands, however, on the side of the revolutionaries, teachers and leaders who seek change and transformation of the world.